Doctors, Nurses From Nigeria Arrives In Sierra Leone, READ What They’re Here To Do

Sixteen (16) Medical Personnel including six Medical Doctors and ten Nurses on Thursday arrived in Sierra Leone as part of the 2016-2018 Technical Aid Corps (TAC) from Nigeria.

The Technical Aid Corps (TAC) was established in 1987 to provide manpower assistance to African, Caribbean and Pacific Countries as their commitment to rapid and sustainable socio economic development.

Dressed in blue and white track suit, the TAC volunteers on the same date made a courtesy call to the Minister of Health and Sanitation Dr. Abubakarr Fofana, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Brima Kargbo and Management team at Youyi Building in Freetown accompanied by the Nigerian High Commissioner to Sierra Leone Gladys Modupeola Quist-Adebiyi.

The Minister of Health and Sanitation together with CMO Dr. Brima Kargbo were overwhelmed to receive the volunteers as they expressed their delight about the resuscitation of the TAC program.

Minister Fofana explained that Sierra Leone has benefitted from this program over the years but was halted in 2014-2015 because of the ebola outbreak.

He emphasized that the volunteers came at a time when the country needs to revamp its health sector and hope that their presence can contribute immensely towards that aspect noting the Ministry is looking forward to work with them.

Dr. Kargbo also acknowledge the contribution of Nigeria towards Sierra Leone especially during the Ebola outbreak stating that he was impressed with the Nigerian Medics outstanding performance and contribution when ebola was at a higher pick and commended them for their resilient strength and leadership quality demonstrated.

Commissioner Gladys M Quist-Adebiyi explained that TAC is objectively programmed to give assistance to receiving nations based on assessed and professed needs noting that a foreign policy tool it promotes cooperation and understanding between Nigeria and beneficiaries by facilitating meaningful contacts between the youths of Nigeria and other countries.

“The strength of the TAC scheme and its success is predicated on the fact that it is people-oriented program and is centred on technical assistance tailored to engineer development” she mentioned.

She also mentioned that “2016-2018 TAC Biennium is programmed to encompass 1,500 professional in the field of Engineering, Agriculture, Medical Laboratory, Technology, Sport Management, Law, Lecturing among many others. TAC Nigeria believes strongly that Africa is no longer an aid dependent continent.”

Madam Quist-Adebiyi called on the volunteers to be in their best behaviour and be ambassadors of Nigeria and assured them that their stay will be worthwhile. Director of Program TAC Nigeria Dr. Oladele O. Abiodun accompanied the Volunteers from Nigeria to Sierra Leone to ensure they arrived safely and are received appropriately by the government because “we selected among our best medical doctors and nurses to come here therefore I’m pleading with the Ministry to take care of them while they are in the country”.